* Hampton City News

Posted on: May 19, 2017

‘Community Explosions’ designed to help bond neighbors, community groups

May 19, 2017 - Hampton’s Division of Police and the city’s Youth Violence Prevention Office are looking for residents, service organizations and partners to take part in a series of neighborhood gatherings this summer called “Community Explosions.”

These free gatherings are meant to foster community engagement, build relationships between neighbors, and help everyone - including neighborhood groups, service providers and places of worship - share resources and knowledge. And, they are meant to be fun for the entire family.

The idea originated with a meeting between the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and faith-based representatives from Newport News and Hampton. The resulting partnership lead to plans for a series of “Community Explosions” this summer. “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and connect families to the many resources that are in the community by bringing the resources directly to different neighborhoods,” said Shanel Lewis, Hampton’s youth violence prevention coordinator.

The first Community Explosion will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 at the North Phoebus Community Center, 249 West Chamberlin Ave. Other dates and locations are Friday, June 16 at Colonial Landing Apartments, 2121 Kecoughtan Ave.; Saturday July 15 at New Life Church, 1525 Power Plant Parkway; Saturday July 22 at Plaza Roller Rink, 1924 East Pembroke Ave.; Saturday Aug. 5 at Langley Baptist Church, 116 Little Back River Road; and Saturday Aug. 19 at The Messiah Center, 1421 West Pembroke Ave.

Vendors can register up to Aug. 14. They can also participate in multiple events. Spaces are limited to organizations that hope to recruit volunteers or those offering engagement opportunities. There is no fee, but spaces will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Vendors can go online for more information and to register.